The RBBA would like to congratulate Paul & Gwen
Phillips (Melkelter) on their superb Winner of the 2019 GCCF Supreme Show,
namely OS, IGrCh Melkelter Galiya Gertruda, better known as Gertie and
now has the Title of Supreme added to her many achievements.

Because of the ongoing COVID 19 situation our AGM, planned for
Saturday 9th May is postponed. The current Officers and Committee
will continue to handle the business of the Association on your
behalf until the country is able to return to some kind of normality.
If you have any questions or situations which need resolving please
continue to contact any Member of the Committee who will do their
best to advise.

Please safe Home and Stay Safe.

Marlene Buckeridge
Chairman on behalf of the RBBA Committee

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC - ADVICE TO BREEDERS

In view of the disruption and uncertainty generated by the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, and the rules regarding social distancing and
self-isolation announced by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in
response to this crisis, the Russian Blue Breeders' Association
would like to offer the following advice to its breeders.

We advise that, for the present, breeders give serious consideration
to not having their queens mated, and that stud owners do not accept
outside queens for mating.

Please bear in mind that having people visit in order to view kittens
and meet your cats could conflict with the rules on social distancing
and self-isolation, and will put you and your visitors at risk of
infection. Also, people may well be expressing an interest in a
kitten now, but may not be in a position to have the kitten later
on, especially if the situation escalates. This could leave you
with kittens for which you cannot find homes.

Further, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and The Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) have instructed all veterinary
practices to reduce face-to-face contact by switching to urgent
and emergency care only. This will have an impact on the provision
of routine veterinary care, such as vaccinations.

Obviously, some breeders will have kittens already born or due
shortly, having embarked on these litters in good faith with no
idea of the unprecedented circumstances we are now facing. We hope
that they will be able to manage these litters while giving due
consideration to the rules on social distancing and self-isolation.

The current crisis may result in an increase in welfare cases,
but we hope that by suspending breeding now, we might be able to
reduce the potential pressure on our RBBA Welfare.

The RBBA wish you all to stay safe and take care of yourselves
at this difficult time.

"These are very trying times for us all,
whether we are breeders or pet owners, we need to stay safe, ensure
that we can feed both our human and feline families while attempting
to give some form of normality to our lives. In many ways we are
very lucky in that our much loved cats can give us love and purpose
while we are cooped up.

For those of us that are "Breeders"
we have a lot of areas of concern surrounding the care of our adults
- queens calling, expecting or with kittens of varying ages and
older kittens ready to move to their new homes are of especial concern
and lots of questions surrounding this have been foremost in our
minds.

GCCF fully understand these concerns and, through
the auspices of Sue Moreland, have been in close contact with the
veterinary bodies discussing these issues and looking for solutions
that are workable in the current situation. A statement has been
issued by the GCCF that highlights, amongst other concerns, the
current advice in regards to the issues that particularly apply
to breeders.

The RBBA strongly supports following the advice
given by the Government which is to stay at home and away from others
unless absolutely necessary, so if you already have a litter of
kittens, keep in contact with and update new owners by phone, email,
video calls, and sending photos – not visits to your home.
At all times it’s essential to take extra hygiene precautions
and follow government advice depending on your and the new owner’s
situation.

Clarification from Defra is awaited about new
owners picking up kittens in these unprecedented times. As a club
we’re here to support breeders and new owners, as much as
we can and will update any information surrounding the issues touched
upon in this notice as soon as we can.

GCCF has said that there will be a slight delay
with registration services, as staff are working from home for their
own safety. However during this time, it is strongly advise that
you use the online methods where possible as there will be unavoidable
delays to postal applications.

The RBBA strongly advises against mating cats
at the present time

However this has to be a personal decision, based on your individual
situation and risk assessment of this, but do consider the difficulties
around breeding kittens in the current climate, the potential of
you getting poorly and not being able to care for your kittens or
cats, whether your local vet will be able to assist if needed and
how to deal with prospective owners responsibly when the public
have been told they must stay at home and avoid others unless absolutely
essential.

One of the biggest concerns we all have is how best to take care
of our kittens and cats during this period. It’s important
to follow government advice as far as is possible and it also depends
on your personal situation. If you have symptoms of the virus and
feel unwell, the advice is to self-isolate and this includes avoiding
physical contact with your pets – as hard as it may be. If
you live alone and become unwell and need to self-isolate, a friend
or family member may be able to care for your cats and/or kittens
for you, but GCCF are awaiting clarification on this and who will
be allowed to help.

Otherwise, if you have kittens, are feeling well but staying at
home and away from others, take extra hygiene precautions: try to
avoid facial contact with your cats and kittens, keep your kittens
as clean as you can and always wash your hands with soap and water
after touching them, preparing their food, and cleaning their sleeping
and litter tray area.

Make sure anyone in your household where you are rearing the kittens
follows these measures. There is no evidence that cats or dogs can
get or transmit Covid-19, but these measures are to reduce the likelihood
of your pet spreading the disease through environmental contamination
on their fur – so it’s essential to increase hygiene
precautions. These precautions are especially important if your
pets go outside and range freely.

Availability of Veterinary care is a major concern but given the
Government advice is, unless absolutely necessary to leave, is to
stay at home and avoid others so if your cat or kittens need vet
care during this period, call your vet in the first instance. Don’t
leave the house to go to your vet especially if you are self-isolating.

Vets are classed as ‘key workers’ so you will be able
to get advice from your vet if you call them.

Check NOW what level of service your Vet is
able to provide by speaking with your vet. Ask them what
procedures they are presently happy to carry out. Due to the measures
set out by the government at this time, vaccinations and micro-chipping
have been paused for now by the overwhelming majority.

GCCF are seeking clarification from Defra and charities on whether
it is allowed and safe for someone else to take care of any cats
that you own and maybe part of your breeding programme if you're
taken ill or have to self-isolate. When there is further information
around this issue we will update you.

In the meanwhile if you have worries about
the care of your cats if you should become seriously ill it would
very useful to make a list showing all their identity details including
the following:

GCCF Registration Number, Registered and pet
names

Microchip number

Breed, sex, date of birth

Dietary requirements

Any ongoing health problems including medication

A list containing this vital information will
be of great help to anyone who has to care for your cats in an emergency.
It should be kept with your cats’ vaccination certificates.

The RBBA committee hopes that everyone follows government advice,
stays at home and stays safe."

Welcome to the official web site of the Russian Blue
Breeders' Association.

If you are interested in buying a kitten (in the UK)
the information you need is in the Breeder's list
& Kitten Notes. Of course, kittens aren't always
available.

We don't have any information about
American breeders, but there are a number of sites in links
section which should be able to help you.

Note the Welfare
link. The RBBA, through its Welfare Officer, organises a rehoming
service for homeless Russian Blues. You may feel that instead of a kitten
you would like to adopt an older cat. If this is the case this page will
tell you how to go about it. I'm afraid this service is restricted to
the UK due to quarantine regulations.